George Washington Papers

To George Washington from John Barry, 30 May 1782

New London May 30th 1782

Sir,

I have the Pleasure to inform your Excellency that from the Account brought in here, the French Fleet from France is by this time arrived in Virginia, they having Sailed upwards of two Months & was Seen six Days ago off New York standing to the S.W. the Wind at N.E.—the above Acct we have by some Men landed on Block Island from on Board an English Frigate that was Chac’d by them & escap’d under Cover of the Night.

The Commissary in this Place, Mr Shaw informs me that no prisoners is Exchang’d without your Excellencys orders I have one favour to ask of Your Excellency that is that you will suffer a Captain by the Name of William Austine taken in a Mercht Vessel from [Turtollo] bound to New York, to be Exchang’d or go in on Parole to send a Captain of Equal Rank out for him—he is an Old Acquaintance of mine, and a particular Friend—if your Excellency will be pleas’d to grant the above favor, I shall ever Esteem it as a Mark of your FriendShip for Sir Your Excellencys Most Obedt & Verry humble servant

John Barry

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

Index Entries